East Coast West

I went to East Coast West Deli in San Francisco last week, and although I thought my pastrami sandwich was pretty good, I wasn't impressed enough to be in a rush to go back, since it was pretty small, and cost about nine bucks, plus $5.30 BART from Berkeley, plus $4 cable car roundtrip (I mean, sure, I like riding a cable car as much as anyone, but it's not too cheap for a starving student). The next day, I went to Saul's in Berkeley, which I liked more. I had brisket at Saul's, which is easier to get right than pastrami, but still. We also had a great waitress at Saul's, and the counter guy at East Coast West wasn't very interested in selling us food. Neither place was perfect, but for a similar price, I thought Saul's was better.

Summer is in full swing, which (hopefully) means trips to the park or the beach. If you’re taking a picnic along, you should know a few food safety rules so you can pack, transport, and eat your meal without the threat of food poisoning. Liz Weinandy

Beef ribs can stand up to strong flavors. Here, a spicy-sweet rub with chili powder, cumin, cayenne, garlic, and brown sugar coats the meat, which is roasted to tenderness. Finishing on the grill with a smoky chipotle barbecue sauce ensures the meat gets a nice char and the sauce lacquers. Read more.

This classic should be in every Southern woman's repertoire. A moist, delicious Chocolate-Mayonnaise Cake pleases crowds of all ages, and is the perfect dessert to bring to a neighbor, to a potluck, or to a summer party.